CVE-2017-5162 in Universal Multifunctional Electric Power Quality Meter
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in BINOM3 Universal Multifunctional Electric Power Quality Meter. Lack of authentication for remote service gives access to application set up and configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5162 affects the BINOM3 Universal Multifunctional Electric Power Quality Meter, a device commonly deployed in industrial and commercial environments for monitoring electrical power systems. This device represents a critical component in power management infrastructure, responsible for measuring and analyzing various electrical parameters including voltage, current, power factor, and harmonic distortion. The security flaw stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the device's remote service interface, creating a significant exposure that allows unauthorized users to access critical configuration and setup functions without proper credentials.
This authentication bypass vulnerability resides in the device's network communication protocols and remote management interfaces, where the system fails to properly validate user identities before granting access to administrative functions. The flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized configuration changes, potentially altering critical power monitoring parameters that could affect system performance, safety, or operational integrity. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in authentication mechanisms under CWE-287, specifically involving inadequate authentication for remote services. The vulnerability directly impacts the device's security posture by violating fundamental principles of access control and privilege management that are essential for industrial control systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to manipulate power quality monitoring data, alter system configurations, or potentially cause operational disruptions in critical infrastructure environments. Power quality meters are often integrated into larger control systems and SCADA networks where unauthorized modifications could lead to cascading failures or compromise the integrity of broader electrical grid monitoring. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1072 for "Software Deployment Tools" and T1566 for "Phishing" as attackers could exploit this weakness to gain persistent access to industrial environments. The device's remote accessibility without proper authentication creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited by adversaries seeking to compromise industrial control systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication, network segmentation to isolate critical devices, and regular security updates from the vendor. Organizations should conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify all affected devices and implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. The device configuration should be reviewed to disable unnecessary remote services, implement secure communication protocols, and establish proper access controls with role-based permissions. Additionally, security awareness training for personnel managing these systems should emphasize the importance of maintaining secure configurations and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for robust authentication in industrial environments where security failures can have significant operational and safety implications, aligning with NIST SP 800-82 guidelines for industrial control systems security.